Inside a modest office building in a Tokyo suburb some of the greatest talents in animation work every day.
This documentary goes behind the scenes of Studio Ghibli, the celebrated animation studio founded by masters Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service etc) and Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies, Pom Poko, Only Yesterday) and gives unprecedented access to both filmmakers as well as producer Toshio Suzuki and the wider Ghibli team as they prepare for their latest films, The Wind Rises (Miyazaki) and The Tale of Princess Kaguya (Takahata).
For lovers of animation, Miyazaki is a near mythic figure, and it’s deeply pleasing to watch him at work – whether leading the office in impromptu stretches, toiling on meticulous drawings or discussing details with his team – as well as listening to his charming interviews: “Am I strange?” he asks. “Sure.”
Released at a point when the future of Ghibli looks at best uncertain (in August 2014 the studio announced they would temporarily halt production and restructure following Miyazaki’s retirement) this is a timely and engrossing study of the studio behind some of contemporary animation’s most singular masterpieces.
